Systems, apparatus, and methods for remote control of a plurality of heating devices

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are provided for remotely controlling a plurality of heating devices in one or more sites having a fossil fuel-based heating device and an electrical heating device. An example method involves operating a management processor to determine whether a current system supply is greater than a current system demand. In response to determining that the current system supply is greater than the current system demand, the management processor identifies at least one site to receive an opportunity to use electrical heating and transmits an opportunity signal to the local controller of the at least one site. The method can also involve operating each local controller to receive the opportunity signal from the management processor and generate one or more signals to control an operation the fossil fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device of the site based in part on the opportunity signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/216,572 filed on Jun. 30, 2021. The complete disclosure of U.S. App No. 63/216,572 is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

FIELD

The described embodiments relate to systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling a plurality of heating devices. In some example embodiments, the system, apparatus, and methods can relate to remote control of a fossil fuel-based heating device and an electrical heating device.

BACKGROUND

Electrical power systems are typically operated so that power is generated to meet the demand for power. The demand for power is met using a combination of different electrical power generating sources such as, but not limited to, nuclear, hydroelectric, natural gas, coal, biofuels, geothermal, wind, and solar. Such electrical power generation can variously be considered non-varying, dispatchable, or intermittent sources. For example, nuclear power plants may typically operated as non-varying sources as changes to their power output can compromise efficiency. In contrast, renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, are typically intermittent sources as their output is limited by the availability of wind and sun. Meanwhile, hydroelectric and natural gas are typically dispatchable sources as their output can be controllably varied relatively quickly.

Although supply can, to some extent, be dispatched to meet demand, there can still be an oversupply of electricity. Oversupply can often occur during off-peak periods such as at nighttime, when human activity is low. Oversupply can also occur seasonally, such as the winter when air conditioners are not operating and instead heating needs are met by fossil fuels. When there is an oversupply of electricity, excess electricity may be exported to neighboring electricity markets. Exportation of electricity can bear additional costs.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments described herein generally relate to methods (and associated systems configured to implement the methods) for controlling a plurality of heating devices in one or more sites. The disclosed systems and methods can relate to sites having at least a fossil fuel furnace and an electrical heating device.

An example system can include a management communication component; a management processor in communication with the management communication component, and one or more local controllers of the one or more sites. The management processor can be operable to determine whether a current system supply is greater than a current system demand; in response to determining that the current system supply is greater than the current system demand, identify at least one site to receive an opportunity to use electrical heating; and transmit, via the management communication component, an opportunity signal to the local controller of each of the at least one site. Each local controller can include a local communication component and a local processor in communication with the local communication component. The local processor can be operable to receive, via the local communication component, the opportunity signal from the management processor; and generate one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device of the site based in part on the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the management processor can be operable to determine a current system oversupply; and, for at least one power generator contributing to the current system supply, select one or more sites within a grid proximity to the at least one power generator to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating such that a total power demand of the one or more sites corresponds at least a portion of the current system oversupply.

In at least one embodiment, the total power demand of the one or more sites corresponding to the current system oversupply can include the total power demand of the one or more sites matching the current system oversupply.

In at least one embodiment, the total power demand of the one or more sites can include a power load of each of the one or more sites and power transmission losses associated with delivering power to each of the one or more sites.

In at least one embodiment, the system can further include a data storage component, and the management processor is further operable to maintain, in the data storage component, a log of opportunities provided to each of the sites.

In at least one embodiment, the log of opportunities can further include data indicative of actual usage in response to the opportunities provided to each of the sites.

In at least one embodiment, the management processor can be operable to select one or more sites to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating based on the log of opportunities provided to each of the sites.

In at least one embodiment, the management processor can be operable to transmit, via the management communication component, an expiration signal to one or more of the local controllers of the at least one site; and the local processors of the one or more of the local controllers of the at least one site can be operable to receive, via the local communication component, the expiration signal from the management processor; and generate the one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device based in part on the expiration signal.

In at least one embodiment, the management processor can be operable to: select a first site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating for a first duration; transmit, via the management communication component, an opportunity signal to a local controller of the first site for the first duration; select a second site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating for a second duration after the first duration; and transmit, via the management communication component, an expiration signal to the local controller of the first site and an opportunity signal to a local controller of the second site for the second duration.

In at least one embodiment, the management processor can be operable to: receive, from a local controller of a first site of the one or more sites, a heating status of the first site; in response to receiving the heating status of the first site, select a second site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating; and transmit, via the management communication component, an opportunity signal to the local controller of the second site.

In at least one embodiment, the local processors can be operable to generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device of the site based in part on the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the local processors can be operable to receive a current temperature from one or more temperature sensors located within the site; determine whether the current temperature is less than a local temperature setting; and in response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining that the current temperature is less than the local temperature setting, generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device of the site.

In at least one embodiment, each of the local controllers can further include a local data storage component, and the local processors are further operable to store, in the local data storage components, data indicative of usage of the electrical heating device of the site in response to the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the local processors can be operable to, in response to receiving the expiration signal, generate a signal to discontinue operating the electrical heating device of the site.

In at least one embodiment, the local processors can be operable to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, generate a signal to discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based heating device of the site.

In at least one embodiment, the local processors can be further operable to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, transmit, to the management processor, a heating status of the site.

In another broad aspect, a method of remotely controlling a plurality of heating devices in one or more sites is disclosed herein. Each site of the one or more sites has at least a fossil fuel-based heating device and an electrical heating device. The method can involve operating a management processor to determine whether a current system supply is greater than a current system demand; in response to determining that the current system supply is greater than the current system demand, identify at least one site to receive an opportunity to use electrical heating; and transmit an opportunity signal to the local controller of each of the at least one site. The method can also involve operating one or more local controllers of the one or more sites to receive the opportunity signal from the management processor; and generate one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device of the site based in part on the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the management processor to determine a current system oversupply; and for at least one power generator contributing to the current system supply, select one or more sites within a grid proximity to the at least one power generator to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating such that a total power demand of the one or more sites corresponds at least a portion of the current system oversupply.

In at least one embodiment, the total power demand of the one or more sites corresponding to the current system oversupply can include the total power demand of the one or more sites matching the current system oversupply.

In at least one embodiment, the total power demand of the one or more sites can include a power load of each of the one or more sites and power transmission losses associated with delivering power to each of the one or more sites.

In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve storing a log of opportunities provided to each of the sites.

In at least one embodiment, the log of opportunities can further include data indicative of actual usage in response to the opportunities provided to each of the sites.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the management processor to select one or more sites to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating based on the log of opportunities provided to each of the sites.

In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve operating the management processor to transmit an expiration signal to one or more of the local controllers of the at least one sites; and operating the local controllers of the at least one site to receive the expiration signal from the management processor; and generate the one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device based in part on the expiration signal.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the management processor to select a first site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating for a first duration; transmit an opportunity signal to a local controller of the first site for the first duration; select a second site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating for a second duration after the first duration; and transmit an expiration signal to the local controller of the first site and an opportunity signal to a local controller of the second site for the second duration.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the management processor to receive, from a local controller of a first site of the one or more sites, a heating status of the first site; in response to receiving the heating status of the first site, select a second site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating; and transmit an opportunity signal to the local controller of the second site.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local controllers to generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device of the site based in part on the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local controllers to receive a current temperature from one or more temperature sensors located within the site; determine whether the current temperature is less than a local temperature setting; and in response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining that the current temperature is less than the local temperature setting, generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device of the site.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve storing data indicative of usage of the electrical heating device of the site in response to the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local controllers to, in response to receiving the expiration signal, generate a signal to discontinue operating the electrical heating device of the site.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local controllers to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, generate a signal to discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based heating device of the site.

In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve operating the local controllers to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, transmit, to the management processor, data indicative of a heating status of the site.

In another broad aspect, an apparatus for controlling a plurality of heating devices at a site is disclosed herein. The site has at least a fossil fuel-based heating device and an electrical heating device. The apparatus can include a communication component; and a local processor in communication with the communication component. The local processor can be operable to receive, via the communication component, an opportunity signal from a management processor; and generate one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based furnace or the electrical heater based in part on the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be operable to generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device based in part on the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be operable to receive a current temperature from one or more temperature sensors located within the site; determine whether the current temperature is less than a temperature setting; and in response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining that the current temperature is less than the temperature setting, generate the signal to operate the electrical heating device.

In at least one embodiment, the apparatus can further include a data storage component, and the local processor is further operable to store, in the data storage component, data indicative of usage of the electrical heating device in response to the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be operable to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, generate a signal to discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based heating device.

In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be further operable to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, transmit, to the management processor, data indicative of a heating status of the site.

In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be operable to receive, via the communication component, an expiration signal from the management processor; and generate the one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device based in part on the expiration signal.

In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be operable to, in response to receiving the expiration signal, generate a signal to discontinue operating the electrical heating device.

In another broad aspect, a method of controlling a plurality of heating devices at a site is disclosed herein. The site has at least a fossil fuel-based heating device and an electrical heating device. The method can involve operating a local processor to receive an opportunity signal from a management processor; and generate one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device based in part on the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, operating the local processor to generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device can be based in part on the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local processor to receive a current temperature from one or more temperature sensors located within the site; determine whether the current temperature is less than a temperature setting; and in response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining that the current temperature is less than the temperature setting, generate the signal to operate the electrical heating device.

In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve storing data indicative of usage of the electrical heating device in response to the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local processor to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, generate a signal to discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based heating device.

In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve operating the local processor to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, transmit, to the management processor, data indicative of a heating status of the site.

In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve operating the local processor to receive an expiration signal from the management processor; and generate the one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device based in part on the expiration signal.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local processor to, in response to receiving the expiration signal, generate a signal to discontinue operating the electrical heating device.

In another broad aspect, a kit for dual heating sources is disclosed herein. The kit includes an electrical heater and a controller. The controller can include a communication component and a local processor in communication with the communication component. The controller can be operable to control an operation of at least one of a fossil fuel-based furnace or the electrical heater based in part on data received, via the communication component, from a management processor located off-site from the fossil fuel-based furnace.

In at least one embodiment, the electrical heater can be installable on at least one of a return duct, a return plenum, a supply duct, or a supply plenum of the fossil fuel-based furnace.

In at least one embodiment, the electrical heater can include a resistive heating coil.

In at least one embodiment, the electrical heater can include a heater fan.

In at least one embodiment, the electrical heater can have a heating capacity that is substantially similar to a heating capacity of the fossil fuel-based furnace.

In at least one embodiment, the electrical heater can have a power rating of about 18 kilowatts to about 20 kilowatts.

In at least one embodiment, the data can include an opportunity signal; and in response to receiving the opportunity signal, the local processor can be operable to generate a signal to operate the electrical heater based in part on the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the local processor can be operable to receive a current temperature from one or more temperature sensors located within the site; determine whether the current temperature is less than a temperature setting; and in response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining that the current temperature is less than the temperature setting, generate the signal to operate the electrical heater.

In at least one embodiment, the controller can further include a data storage component, and the local processor can be further operable to store, in the data storage component, data indicative of usage of the electrical heater in response to the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, the local processor can be further operable to generate a signal to discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based furnace.

In at least one embodiment, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, the local processor can be further operable to transmit, to the management processor, a heating status of the site.

In at least one embodiment, the data can include an expiration signal; and in response to receiving the expiration signal, the local processor can be operable to generate a signal to discontinue operating the electrical heating device.

In another broad aspect, a method of providing dual heating sources is disclosed herein. The method includes providing an electrical heater; and providing a controller operable to control an operation of at least one of a fossil fuel-based furnace or the electrical heater based in part on data received from a management processor located off-site from the fossil fuel-based furnace.

In at least one embodiment, the method can include installing the electrical heater on at least one of a return duct, a return plenum, a supply duct, or a supply plenum of the fossil fuel-based furnace.

In at least one embodiment, the data can include an opportunity signal; and the method can further involve, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, operating the local controller to generate a signal to operate the electrical heater based in part on the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the method can involve operating the local processor to receive a current temperature from one or more temperature sensors located within the site; determine whether the current temperature is less than a temperature setting; and in response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining that the current temperature is less than the temperature setting, generate the signal to operate the electrical heater.

In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve storing data indicative of usage of the electrical heater in response to the opportunity signal.

In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, operating the local processor to generate a signal to discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based furnace.

In at least one embodiment, the method can further involve, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, operating the local processor to transmit, to the management processor, a heating status of the site.

In at least one embodiment, the data can include an expiration signal; and the method can further involve, in response to receiving the expiration signal, operating the local processor to generate a signal to discontinue operating the electrical heating device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Several embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of components interacting with an example management system in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 a block diagram of components interacting with an example local controller in accordance with an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of components interacting with a fossil fuel-based heating device, in accordance with an example embodiment; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example method of remotely controlling a plurality of heating devices in one or more sites, in accordance with an example embodiment.

The drawings, described below, are provided for purposes of illustration, and not of limitation, of the aspects and features of various examples of embodiments described herein. For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. The dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements or steps.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The various embodiments described herein generally relate to methods (and associated systems configured to implement the methods) of remotely controlling a plurality of heating devices in one or more sites. The site can be any type of facility, including but not limited to residential, commercial, industrial, or institutional, that has a building and a plurality of heating devices to heat space within the building. For example, the site can be a house having a furnace and an electrical heater, both of which can heat the house.

When there is an oversupply of electricity, existing practices of the electrical system operator can involve exporting excess electricity to neighboring electricity markets in order to balance the grid. However, while electricity is being exported, many buildings within the electricity grid are using fossil-fuel based heating devices for heating.

The systems, apparatus, and methods described herein can be used to balance the grid by diverting the excess electricity to heat buildings within the electricity grid. This can reduce the export of excess electricity and reduce the use of fossil-fuels for heating. This approach can be particularly desirable when electricity within the grid is generated from renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, because the use of renewable energy sources can effectively displace the use of fossil-fuel for heating.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 , which illustrates a block diagram 100 of components interacting with an example management system 110. As shown in FIG. 1 , the management system 110 is in communication with a computing device 120 and an external data storage 130 via a network 140.

The management system 110 includes a management processor 112, a management communication component 114, and a management data storage component 116. The management system 110 can be provided on one or more computer servers that may be distributed over a wide geographic area and connected via the network 140.

The management system 110 can perform various functions related to monitoring and control of the electrical power system. Such functions can depend on which entity the management system 110 is associated with in the electrical power system. For example, the management system 110 can be a market operator, a transmission and distribution service provider, a local distributor, another utility, or any combination thereof. For example, in Ontario, the market operator is an entity called Independent Electricity System Operator (the “IESO”), a transmission and distribution service provider is an entity called Hydro One, and there are multiple local distributors. In some embodiments, the management system 110 can be a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

The management processor 112, the management communication component 114, and the management data storage component 116 can be combined into a fewer number of components or can be separated into further components. The management processor 112, the management communication component 114, and the management data storage component 116 may be implemented in software or hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

The management processor 112 can operate to control the operation of the management system 110. The management processor 112 can initiate and manage the operations of each of the other components within the management system 110. The management processor 112 may be any suitable processors, controllers or digital signal processors that can provide sufficient processing power depending on the configuration, purposes and requirements of the management system 110. In some embodiments, the management processor 112 can include more than one processor with each processor being configured to perform different dedicated tasks.

The management communication component 114 may include any interface that enables the management system 110 to communicate with other devices and systems. In some embodiments, the management communication component 114 can include at least one of a serial port, a parallel port or a USB port. The management communication component 114 may also include at least one of an Internet, Local Area Network (LAN), Ethernet, Firewire, modem or digital subscriber line connection. Various combinations of these elements may be incorporated within the management communication component 114.

For example, the management communication component 114 may receive input from various input devices, such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen, a thumbwheel, a track-pad, a track-ball, a card-reader, voice recognition software and the like depending on the requirements and implementation of the management system 110.

The management data storage component 116 can include RAM, ROM, one or more hard drives, one or more flash drives or some other suitable data storage elements such as disk drives, etc. Similar to the management data storage component 116, the external data storage 130 can also include RAM, ROM, one or more hard drives, one or more flash drives or some other suitable data storage elements such as disk drives, etc.

The management data storage component 116 and the external data storage 130 can also include one or more databases for storing information relating to the electrical system, power generation facilities, transmission and distribution lines, distribution facilities, opportunity data for each load, and/or actual usage data associated with the opportunity data for each load.

The computing device 120 can include any networked device operable to connect to the network 140. A networked device is a device capable of communicating with other devices through a network such as the network 140. A networked device may couple to the network 140 through a wired or wireless connection. Although only one computing device 120 is shown in FIG. 1 , it will be understood that more computing devices 120 can connect to the network 140.

The computing device 120 may include at least a processor and memory, and may be an electronic tablet device, a personal computer, workstation, server, portable computer, mobile device, personal digital assistant, laptop, smart phone, WAP phone, an interactive television, video display terminals, gaming consoles, and portable electronic devices or any combination of these.

The local controller 150 can include any networked device operable to connect to the network 140. A networked device is a device capable of communicating with other devices through a network such as the network 140. A networked device may couple to the network 140 through a wired or wireless connection. Although only one local controller 150 is shown in FIG. 1 , it will be understood that more local controllers 150 can connect to the network 140.

The local controller 150 may include at least a processor and memory, and may be a thermostat, such as a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat or a smart thermostat. The local controller 150 is located remotely from the management system 110. The local controller 150 is located at a site having a plurality of heating devices. The local controller 150 can control the operation of the heating devices at the site.

The network 140 may be any network capable of carrying data, including the Internet, Ethernet, plain old telephone service (POTS) line, public switch telephone network (PSTN), integrated services digital network (ISDN), digital subscriber line (DSL), coaxial cable, fiber optics, satellite, mobile, wireless (e.g. Wi-Fi, WiMAX), SS7 signaling network, fixed line, local area network, wide area network, and others, including any combination of these, capable of interfacing with, and enabling communication between, the management system 110, the computing device 120, the external data storage 130, and the local controller 150.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 , which illustrates a block diagram 200 of components interacting with local controller 150. To assist with the description of block diagram 200, reference will be made simultaneously to FIG. 3 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the local controller 150 is in communication with the management system 110 via the network 140. The local controller 150 is also in communication with a fossil fuel-based heating device 210, an electrical heating device 220, and an electrical heating meter 230.

The local controller 150 includes a local processor 152, a local communication component 154, and a local data storage component 156. The local processor 152, the local communication component 154, and the local data storage component 156 can be combined into a fewer number of components or can be separated into further components. The local processor 152, the local communication component 154, and the local data storage component 156 may be implemented in software or hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.

The local processor 152 can operate to control the operation of the local controller 150. The local processor 152 can initiate and manage the operations of each of the other components within the local controller 150. The local processor 152 may be any suitable processors, controllers or digital signal processors that can provide sufficient processing power depending on the configuration, purposes and requirements of the local controller 150. In some embodiments, the local processor 152 can include more than one processor with each processor being configured to perform different dedicated tasks.

The local communication component 154 may include any interface that enables the local controller 150 to communicate with other devices and systems. In some embodiments, the local communication component 154 can include at least one of a serial port, a parallel port or a USB port. The local communication component 154 may also include at least one of an Internet, Local Area Network (LAN), Ethernet, Firewire, modem or digital subscriber line connection. Various combinations of these elements may be incorporated within the local communication component 154.

For example, the local communication component 154 may receive input from various input devices, such as a touch screen, a keypad, a thumbwheel, a track-ball, a card-reader, voice recognition software and the like depending on the requirements and implementation of the local controller 150.

The local data storage component 156 can include RAM, ROM, one or more hard drives, one or more flash drives or some other suitable data storage elements such as disk drives, etc. Similar to the local data storage component 156, the external data storage 130 can also include RAM, ROM, one or more hard drives, one or more flash drives or some other suitable data storage elements such as disk drives, etc.

The local data storage component 156 can include one or more databases for storing information relating to the temperature settings, opportunity data, and actual usage data associated with the opportunity data, etc.

The fossil fuel-based heating device 210 may be a furnace or a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) unit. For example, the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 can use natural gas or propane as fuel. The fossil fuel-based heating device 210 can provide heating to a building, or a portion of the building, at the site. For example, a furnace can provide heating to a detached house. An HVAC unit can provide heating to an individual unit or the common elements within a multi-residential building.

The electrical heating device 220 can use electricity from the electric power system. The electrical heating device 220 can be an electric heater, such as an electric resistive heating coil, a heat pump (e.g., air or ground source), or other electrical heating device.

The electrical heating meter 230 can monitor actual usage data of the electrical heating device 220. The electrical heating meter 230 can measure the energy use of the electrical heating device 220. The data collected by the electrical heating meter 230 can be transmitted to the local controller 150. In at least one embodiment, the electrical heating meter 230 can be omitted. In at least one embodiment, the electrical heating meter 230 may be included but it may not be in communication with the local controller 150. In at least one embodiment, the electrical heating meter 230 can be provided because use of the electrical heating device 220 can be subject to lower electricity prices.

In at least one embodiment, the electrical heating device 220 can be installed on a fossil fuel-based heating device 210. Furthermore, the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 can be pre-existing and retrofitted with the electrical heating device 220. With the electrical heating device 220 installed on the fossil fuel-based heating device 210, the blower fan 214 and existing ductwork can be used to circulate air warmed by the electrical heating device 220, similar to air warmed by the fossil fuel-based heating device 210.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , shown therein is a block diagram 300 of an example electrical heating device, such as electrical heating device 220, interacting with a fossil fuel-based heating device, such as fossil fuel-based heating device 210. Typically, the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 includes a blower fan 214 to draw in cool air from a return duct 302. The cool air enters a return plenum 304. The blower fan 214 pushes the cool air into a heat exchanger 212 of the fossil fuel-based heating device, where it is warmed. The warm air is pushed into a supply plenum 306 and guided to a supply duct 308 to be distributed in the space being heated.

In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the electrical heating device 220 is shown as being installed at the intake of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210. That is, the electrical heating device 220 can be located at the return duct 302 or the return plenum 304. The blower fan 214 can draw cool air into the electrical heating device 220 from the return duct 302. After being warmed by the electrical heating device 220, the blower fan 214 draws the air through the return plenum 304 and pushes the air through the heat exchanger 212, the supply plenum 306, and the supply duct 308 to be distributed in the space being heated.

In at least one embodiment, the electrical heating device 220 can be located at the outlet of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210, such as the supply plenum 306 or the supply duct 308. The blower fan 214 can draw cool air in from the return duct 302 and the return plenum 304. The blower fan 214 can push the cool air through the heat exchanger 212 and the supply plenum 306 to be warmed by the electrical heating device 220. After being warmed by the electrical heating device 220, the warm air can be guided to the supply duct 308 to be distributed in the space being heated.

The fossil fuel-based heating device 210 can be considered the primary heat source. Typically, the primary heat source has the capacity to heat the space alone. For example, a house of approximately 2200 ft² may have a furnace providing approximately 60,000 BTU/h, or approximately 18 kW (kilowatts). Typically, the blower fan 214 can provide a minimum air flow of approximately 500 CFM to approximately 1000 CFM.

The electrical heating device 220 can be considered the secondary heat source for the site. The secondary heat source can be sized to have a similar capacity to heat the space alone. In this manner, the secondary heat source can be an alternative to the primary heat source. For example, the electrical heating device 220 can have a power rating of about 18 kW to about 20 kW. With the blower fan 214 providing approximately 1000 CFM, an electrical heating device 220 having a power rating of 18 kW can heat a 2200 ft² space by 10° C. in approximately an hour.

In at least one embodiment, the secondary heat source may not be sized to have the capacity to heat the space alone. That is, the secondary heat source can be used to supplement the primary heat source. Both the primary and secondary heat sources can be operated simultaneously to provide a desired level of heating. For example, the electrical heating device 220 can have a power rating of about 1.5 kW to about 3.5 kW. In at least one embodiment, the electrical heating device 220 can have a power rating of about 2.5 kW, or approximately 8500 BTU/h.

In at least one embodiment, the electrical heating device 220 can be a stand-alone electrical heater. That is, the electrical heating device 220 may not be installed within the ducting of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210. A stand-alone electrical heater can include a heater fan to move the air warmed by the electrical heater. In at least one embodiment, the stand-alone electrical heater can be positioned to push the warm air into return duct 302 or supply duct 308 of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210. The warm air can be distributed by the forced air circulation of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210, that is, blower fan 214.

In at least one embodiment, air warmed by the stand-alone electrical heater may not directly enter the warm air into return duct 302 or supply duct 308 of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210. Instead, the stand-alone electrical heater can be positioned in a location that aligns with natural air ventilation. For example, the electrical heating device 220 can be in a lower level of the site. Warm air from the electrical heating device 220 can move to an upper level of the site with natural air ventilation through convection and diffusion. Furthermore, warm air from the electrical heating device 220 may enter the return duct 302 through air inlets. The blower fan 214 of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 may operate to mix air across parts of the site, effectively distributing heat from the stand-alone electrical heater and equalizing the temperature through the site.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4 , which shows an example method 400 of remotely controlling a plurality of heating devices in a flowchart diagram. To assist with the description of the method 400, reference will be made simultaneously to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 . A system, such as the system in block diagram 100 having a management system 110 and a local controller 150, can be configured to implement the method 400.

In at least one embodiment, the management system 110 can be dedicated to implementing method 400. In other embodiments, the management system 110 can perform other functions related to monitoring and control of the electrical power system, in addition to implementing method 400.

Method 400 can begin at 410. One or more sites within an electrical power system can have a plurality of heating devices, including at least a fossil fuel-based heating device, such as the fossil fuel-based heating device 210, and an electrical heating device, such as the electrical heating device 220, to heat the same space within the site. A management processor 112 associated with the electrical power system can determine whether a current system supply is greater than a current system demand.

At 420, in response to determining that the current system supply is greater than the current system demand, the management processor 112 can identify at least one site to receive an opportunity to use electrical heating.

In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can identify at least one site to receive an opportunity to use electrical heating by determining a current system oversupply. For at least one power generator contributing to the current system supply, the management processor 112 can select one or more sites within a grid proximity to the at least one power generator to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating such that a total power demand of the one or more sites corresponds at least a portion of the current system oversupply. That is, the management processor 112 can select one or more sites that are within the grid proximity to a power generator that is operating.

Grid proximity can be a measure of connectivity and geographical proximity. For example, a first site may be located geographically near a power generator but be connected through a large series of switches, disconnects, and/or interconnects. A second site may be located geographically further from the power generator but not connected through as many switches, disconnects, and/or interconnects. The second site can be considered to have a greater grid proximity to the power generator and the first site can be considered to have a lesser grid proximity to the power generator. Furthermore, a third site may be located closer to the power generator than the second site and be connected through a similar number of switches, disconnects, and/or interconnects. The third site can be considered to have greater grid proximity to the power generator than the second site.

In at least one embodiment, the grid proximity of a site to each power generator can be pre-determined. Furthermore, a pre-determined grid proximity threshold can be used to select one or more sites that have a grid proximity that is within the pre-determined grid proximity threshold of a power generator. In at least one embodiment, the pre-determined grid proximity threshold is dependent on the power generator. For example, a first power generator can have a greater pre-determined grid proximity threshold than a second power generator.

In at least one embodiment, a site can be within the pre-determined grid proximity threshold of a plurality of power generators. In at least one embodiment, a site may not be within the pre-determined grid proximity threshold of any power generators.

In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can allocate substantially all of the current system oversupply to electrical heating. That is, the total power demand for electrical heating of the one or more sites can substantially match the current system supply. In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can allocate only a portion of the current system oversupply to electrical heating.

In selecting potential sites to use electrical heating, the management processor 112 can also account for the power transmission losses to each site. That is, the total power demand of the sites that will receive an opportunity includes the size of the load of the site itself as well as the power transmission losses associated with delivering power to the site.

In at least one embodiment, the size of the load is an approximation that is based on the type of site. For example, all single residential homes can be assumed to have an approximate load size while a multi-residential building can be assumed to have another approximate load size. Furthermore, each type of size can have a plurality of load sizes (e.g., large commercial building, small commercial building etc . . . ).

In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can select one or more sites to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating based previous opportunity assignments and/or actual usage. Considering previous opportunity assignments and/or actual usage can ensure that the benefits using electrical heating is shared amongst participants.

For example, if a site receives an opportunity signal in a first instance of system oversupply, the site may not receive an opportunity signal in subsequent instances of system oversupply until all other participating sites have also received opportunity signals.

However, although a site may receive an opportunity signal to use electrical heating, the site may not have used electrical heating in response to receiving the opportunity signal. In at least one embodiment, if a site receives an opportunity signal and uses electrical heating in a first instance of system supply, the site may not receive an opportunity signal in subsequent instances of system oversupply until all other participating sites have also used electrical heating in response to receiving opportunity signals or have received a pre-determined number of opportunity signals.

At 430, the management processor 112 can transmit an opportunity signal to the local controller 150 of each of the at least one site.

The opportunity signal can be transmitted from the management processor 112 to the local controller 150 via the network. In at least one embodiment, the opportunity signal can be transmitted via one or more intermediaries, such as a local distributor, a substation, or a neighborhood node.

In at least one embodiment, the method 400 can be multi-resolutional. That is, the management processor 112 can be associated with a market operator that allocates a portion of the current system oversupply to a local distributor. In turn, a management processor 112 of the local distributor can identify one or more sites to receive an opportunity electrical heating and transmit the opportunity signal to the local controller 150.

In at least one embodiment, the method 400 can be iterative. For example, the management processor 112 can identify and transmit the opportunity signal to one or more local controllers 150. The management processor 112 can determine whether the current system demand increases in response to the opportunity signal transmitted. If the current system oversupply still exists or has not been sufficiently reduced, the management processor 112 can identify and transmit opportunity signals to other local controllers 150. The management processor 112 can continue to identify and transmit opportunity signals to additional local controllers 150 until the current system oversupply has been sufficiently reduced.

In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can receive data from a local controller 150 of a first site indicating a heating status at the first site. The heating status may indicate that electrical heating would not be used. For example, the heating status may include data indicative that the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 is not in use.

Given data indicating that heating is not in use at a first site, the management processor 112 can in turn select a different site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating. In at least one embodiment, local controllers 150 can transmit the heating status in response to receiving an opportunity signal. In at least one embodiment, local controllers 150 can periodically transmit the heating status to the management processor 112 and the management processor 112 would not transmit an opportunity signal to the respective local controllers 150 in the first place.

At 440, the local controller 150 of each of the at least one site can receive the opportunity signal from the management processor 112.

In at least one embodiment, the local controller 150 receives the opportunity signal via network 140. As such, a loss of connectivity to network 140 results in the site not using the electrical heating device 220 and only using the fossil fuel-based heating device 210.

At 450, the local controller 150 can generate one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 or the electrical heating device 220 of the site based in part on the opportunity signal. For example, the local controller 150 can turn on the electrical heating device 220. Furthermore, if the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 is operating, the local controller 150 can turn off the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 to discontinue operating, or at least discontinue use of the primary heat source. That is, the heat exchanger 212 of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 may discontinue operating but the blower fan 214 of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 may continue operating to circulate warm air heated by the electrical heating device 220.

In at least one embodiment, the local controllers 150 can determine the heating status of the site prior to operating the electrical heating device 220. The heating status can indicate whether any heating should be provided. That is, the local controllers 150 can determine the heating status of the site. For example, the local controllers 150 can receive a current temperature from a temperature sensor located within the site. The local controller 150 can compare the current temperature with a local temperature setting. The local controller 150 can determine whether the current temperature is less than a local temperature setting; and in response to determining that the current temperature is less than the local temperature setting, the local controller 150 can determine that heating should be provided. In turn, the local controller 150 can generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device 220.

In at least one embodiment, the local controller 150 can store data indicative of actual usage of the electrical heating device 220 of the site in response to the opportunity signal. For example, the local controller 150 can log when the electrical heating device 220 is signaled to operate. The local controller 150 can also obtain the actual usage of the electrical heating device 220 from the electrical heating meter 230 and associate the actual usage data with opportunity data received from the management processor 112.

In at least one embodiment, the local controllers 150 may not discontinue use of the primary heat source. The fossil fuel-based heating device 210 and the electrical heating device 220 can be operated simultaneously. For example, the secondary heat source may not be sized to provide the full heating capacity of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 and as such, the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 can continue to supplement the heating provided by the electrical heating device 220.

In at least one embodiment, the local controllers 150 may continue use of the primary heat source only. That is, the local controllers 150 may not generate a signal to discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based heating device 210, nor generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device 220. The local controller 150 can estimate a current operating time for the fossil fuel-based heating device 210. If the current operating time for the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 is short (i.e., the fossil-fuel based heating device 210 recently turned on), the local controller 150 may determine that the fossil-fuel based heating device 210 should continue to operate in order to avoid excessive wear on the fossil-fuel based heating device 210 from switching on and off.

In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can determine that the current system oversupply no longer exists and transmit an expiration signal to one or more of the local controllers 150 that began using electrical heating in response to an opportunity signal. Upon receipt of the expiration signal from the management processor 112, the local controller 150 can generate one or more signals to control the operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 or the electrical heating device 220 of the site based in part on the expiration signal. For example, the local controller 150 can turn off the electrical heating device 220 and turn on the fossil fuel-based heating device 210.

In at least one embodiment, the local controller 150 may not turn off the electrical heating device 220 and turn on the fossil fuel-based heating device 210 upon receipt of an expiration signal. The local controller 150 can estimate remaining duration of the current heating status of the site. If the remaining duration of the current heating status is short (i.e., heating will only be provided for a short period of time), the local controller 150 may determine that the electrical heating device 220 should continue to operate in order to avoid excessive wear on the fossil-fuel based heating device 210 from switching on and off.

In at least one embodiment, the opportunity to use electrical heating can be distributed on a rotating or rolling basis. For example, the management processor 112 can select a first site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating for a first duration and select a second site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating for a second duration after the first duration. The management processor 112 can transmit an opportunity signal to a local controller 150 of the first site for the first duration. Following the first duration, the management processor 112 can transmit an expiration signal to the local controller 150 of the first site and an opportunity signal to a local controller 150 of the second site for the second duration. In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can select the second site before the first duration or towards the end of the first duration (and prior to the second duration).

In at least one embodiment, the expiration signal can be the same signal, or transmitted on the same channel as the opportunity signal. For example, the opportunity signal can be indicated by a leading edge of a pulse while the expiration signal can be indicated by the trailing edge of a pulse. That is, the opportunity/expiration signal can relate to a single bit.

In at least one embodiment, the management processor 112 can select the first site and second site to share a rotation based on the grid proximity to one another. For example, the first site and the second site can be two sites on the same street and connected to the same disconnect or substation. Selecting sites that share grid proximity can help maintain a balanced grid and avoid the large voltage/current spikes within the transmission system as loads are disconnected and connected.

In at least one embodiment, instead of determining determine whether a current system supply is greater than a current system demand, the management processor 112 can determine that a renewable energy source, such as wind or solar, is available and contributing electricity to the current system supply. The management processor 112 can proceed to identify one or more sites to receive an opportunity signal to use electrical heating. In this case, the use of electrical heating from a renewable energy source can displace the use of fossil fuel-based heating.

It will be appreciated that numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Furthermore, this description and the drawings are not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein in any way, but rather as merely describing the implementation of the various embodiments described herein.

It should be noted that terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about” and “approximately” when used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These terms of degree should be construed as including a deviation of the modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the term it modifies.

In addition, as used herein, the wording “and/or” is intended to represent an inclusive-or. That is, “X and/or Y” is intended to mean X or Y or both, for example. As a further example, “X, Y, and/or Z” is intended to mean X or Y or Z or any combination thereof.

It should be noted that the term “coupled” used herein indicates that two elements can be directly coupled to one another or coupled to one another through one or more intermediate elements.

The embodiments of the systems and methods described herein may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of both. These embodiments may be implemented in computer programs executing on programmable computers, each computer including at least one processor, a data storage system (including volatile memory or non-volatile memory or other data storage elements or a combination thereof), and at least one communication interface. For example and without limitation, the programmable computers (referred to below as computing devices) may be a server, network appliance, embedded device, computer expansion module, a personal computer, laptop, personal data assistant, cellular telephone, smart-phone device, tablet computer, a wireless device or any other computing device capable of being configured to carry out the methods described herein.

In some embodiments, the communication interface may be a network communication interface. In embodiments in which elements are combined, the communication interface may be a software communication interface, such as those for inter-process communication (IPC). In still other embodiments, there may be a combination of communication interfaces implemented as hardware, software, and combination thereof.

Program code may be applied to input data to perform the functions described herein and to generate output information. The output information is applied to one or more output devices, in known fashion.

Each program may be implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented programming and/or scripting language, or both, to communicate with a computer system. However, the programs may be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or interpreted language. Each such computer program may be stored on a storage media or a device (e.g., ROM, magnetic disk, optical disc) readable by a general or special purpose programmable computer, for configuring and operating the computer when the storage media or device is read by the computer to perform the procedures described herein. Embodiments of the system may also be considered to be implemented as a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer program, where the storage medium so configured causes a computer to operate in a specific and predefined manner to perform the functions described herein.

Furthermore, the system, processes and methods of the described embodiments are capable of being distributed in a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium that bears computer usable instructions for one or more processors. The medium may be provided in various forms, including one or more diskettes, compact disks, tapes, chips, wireline transmissions, satellite transmissions, internet transmission or downloadings, magnetic and electronic storage media, digital and analog signals, and the like. The computer usable instructions may also be in various forms, including compiled and non-compiled code.

Various embodiments have been described herein by way of example only. Various modification and variations may be made to these example embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. 

We claim:
 1. A system for remotely controlling a plurality of heating devices in one or more sites, each site of the one or more sites having at least a fossil fuel-based heating device and an electrical heating device, the system comprising: a management communication component; a management processor in communication with the management communication component, the management processor being operable to: determine whether a current system supply is greater than a current system demand; in response to determining that the current system supply is greater than the current system demand, identify at least one site to receive an opportunity to use electrical heating; and transmit, via the management communication component, an opportunity signal to the local controller of each of the at least one site; and one or more local controllers of the one or more sites, wherein each local controller comprises a local communication component and a local processor in communication with the local communication component, the local processor being operable to: receive, via the local communication component, the opportunity signal from the management processor; and generate one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device of the site based in part on the opportunity signal.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the management processor is operable to: determine a current system oversupply; and for at least one power generator contributing to the current system supply, select one or more sites within a grid proximity to the at least one power generator to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating such that a total power demand of the one or more sites corresponds at least a portion of the current system oversupply.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the total power demand of the one or more sites corresponding to the current system oversupply comprises the total power demand of the one or more sites matching the current system oversupply.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the total power demand of the one or more sites comprises a power load of each of the one or more sites and power transmission losses associated with delivering power to each of the one or more sites.
 5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a data storage component, and the management processor is further operable to maintain, in the data storage component, a log of opportunities provided to each of the sites.
 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the log of opportunities further comprises data indicative of actual usage in response to the opportunities provided to each of the sites.
 7. The system of claim 5, wherein the management processor is operable to select one or more sites to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating based on the log of opportunities provided to each of the sites.
 8. The system of claim 2, wherein: the management processor is operable to transmit, via the management communication component, an expiration signal to one or more of the local controllers of the at least one site; and the local processors of the one or more of the local controllers of the at least one site is operable to: receive, via the local communication component, the expiration signal from the management processor; and generate the one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device based in part on the expiration signal.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the management processor is operable to: select a first site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating for a first duration; transmit, via the management communication component, an opportunity signal to a local controller of the first site for the first duration; select a second site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating for a second duration after the first duration; and transmit, via the management communication component, an expiration signal to the local controller of the first site and an opportunity signal to a local controller of the second site for the second duration.
 10. The system of claim 2, wherein the management processor is operable to: receive, from a local controller of a first site of the one or more sites, a heating status of the first site; in response to receiving the heating status of the first site, select a second site to receive the opportunity to use electrical heating; and transmit, via the management communication component, an opportunity signal to the local controller of the second site.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein the local processors are operable to generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device of the site based in part on the opportunity signal.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the local processors are operable to: receive a current temperature from one or more temperature sensors located within the site; determine whether the current temperature is less than a local temperature setting; and in response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining that the current temperature is less than the local temperature setting, generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device of the site.
 13. The system of claim 12, wherein each of the local controllers further comprise a local data storage component, and the local processors are further operable to store, in the local data storage components, data indicative of usage of the electrical heating device of the site in response to the opportunity signal.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein the local processors are operable to, in response to receiving the expiration signal, generate a signal to discontinue operating the electrical heating device of the site.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein the local processors are operable to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, generate a signal to discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based heating device of the site.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the local processors are further operable to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, transmit, to the management processor, a heating status of the site.
 17. An apparatus for controlling a plurality of heating devices at a site, the site having at least a fossil fuel-based heating device and an electrical heating device, the apparatus comprising: a communication component; and a local processor in communication with the communication component, the local processor being operable to: receive, via the communication component, an opportunity signal from a management processor; and generate one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based furnace or the electrical heater based in part on the opportunity signal.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the local processor is operable to generate a signal to operate the electrical heating device based in part on the opportunity signal.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the local processor is operable to: receive a current temperature from one or more temperature sensors located within the site; determine whether the current temperature is less than a temperature setting; and in response to receiving the opportunity signal and determining that the current temperature is less than the temperature setting, generate the signal to operate the electrical heating device.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus further comprises a data storage component, and the local processor is further operable to store, in the data storage component, data indicative of usage of the electrical heating device in response to the opportunity signal.
 21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the local processor is operable to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, generate a signal to discontinue operating the fossil fuel-based heating device.
 22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the local processor is further operable to, in response to receiving the opportunity signal, transmit, to the management processor, data indicative of a heating status of the site.
 23. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the local processor is operable to: receive, via the communication component, an expiration signal from the management processor; and generate the one or more signals to control an operation of at least one of the fossil fuel-based heating device or the electrical heating device based in part on the expiration signal.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the local processor is operable to, in response to receiving the expiration signal, generate a signal to discontinue operating the electrical heating device. 